What's More Expensive Pc or Console Gaming

I am alwways debating myself, if a upgrade on a PC for $500 (that is going to last me 2 years or sumin, this is an example) is worth the money. Witht that money I can get a console and a few games. Then I'll have the console 4+ years. Rather than 2 years for the pc parts. Yet ppl say that PC gaming is cheaper... how exactly?

Well this is how I think of it, you need to buy a computer anyway and would normally spend £400 on it. But using it for gaming, you spend a bit more, but you learn about computers and know what you're buying, you normally get a better value for your money aswell. Also PC gaming lets you get the best graphics.

But if you just want cheap gaming consoles are best :P

so PC gaming IS more expensive. But now that I think of it, at least u have a fast computer for when u need it for the internet and school and stuff.

But u can do almost anything on a PS3 that you can do on a PC except school work. :P Although I bet there is a mod for tht as well.

so PC gaming IS more expensive. But now that I think of it, at least u have a fast computer for when u need it for the internet and school and stuff.

But u can do almost anything on a PS3 that you can do on a PC except school work. :P Although I bet there is a mod for tht as well.

Tagerh

Actually there is an official linux OS that you can put on your PS3, then put in a keyboard, printer and open office and you're set to go!

Actually there is an official linux OS that you can put on your PS3, then put in a keyboard, printer and open office and you're set to go!

joshuahaveron

Except it's buggy as hell and doesn't actually work well.

so PC gaming IS more expensive. But now that I think of it, at least u have a fast computer for when u need it for the internet and school and stuff.

But u can do almost anything on a PS3 that you can do on a PC except school work. :P Although I bet there is a mod for tht as well.

Tagerh

Console gaming will turn out more expensive because the games on consoles are more expensive and on PC they are generally a lot cheaper.

PC gaming is expensier but its also a lot more rewarding.

The initial investment into PC hardware is usually more even if you build just a mid-level machine. But considering that on average a PC game is $10 cheaper at release than the same game is for consoles, you will eventually come out ahead if you are a person that buys a lot of games. If you're more casual and buy only a few games a year, then console gaming will be cheaper for you, especially considering a console's average lifetime.

Nevermind that even a mid-level gaming PC will always beat the pants off of current generation consoles when it comes to graphics (excluding the consideration of really crappy ports).

Also, I won't get into the debate about selling used games. This is because a) I am a "nostalgic" gamer and now save everything because I always want to play an old game again, and b) the PC games market has been shifting towards preventing the resale of used games via DRM (limited activations) and digital distribution services like Steam. "b" doesn't bother me because of "a".

so PC gaming IS more expensive. But now that I think of it, at least u have a fast computer for when u need it for the internet and school and stuff.

But u can do almost anything on a PS3 that you can do on a PC except school work. :P Although I bet there is a mod for tht as well.

Tagerh

Pc gaming = hardcore

console = casual

i really in all sincerity feel PC gaming is best in price/performance taking aside wether it costs u more or less is different for me if u ask me my 360 which i bought in march of 2006 (here in india) and was pretty pleased and now after like 2 years and all iam like selling this system coz it does not meet my needs and also paying 60$ for a game is like so bad i think if u take now PC into consideration and u think u want a hardcore system u can buy that for say a 1000$ and if some1 wants a good rig that lasts him 2-3 years on high medium settings in games it will cost him 600$ or so also PC gaming is customised so everything is so good when u actually have full control of what ur buying as agaisnt you generally dont know what is inside the console if ur PC component has gon out of order u just go and get that thing replaced also till the time u get that equipment u can use standby products till ur product comes but if anything goes wrong with the console u have to sent the whole unit also i think if u ask me people tend to forget that computer items which u need to upgrade is totally upto you as agaisnt consoles where the manufacturer actaully discontinues support for his product so that u buy the new console on the market(happened to xbox when 360 came) also u can also easily sell ur components which u dont want and upgrade them with ease and i think this is the main reason i stick with PC gaming is warranties i mean where do u get lifetime warranties on the things u buy? like evga gives u lifetime warranties for most or all of their products(iam in india so dont know how the warranties work in USA) i think MS should give lifetime warranties after making such a bad console to sum up i think if u buy these items and futureproof urself like a good keyboard,mouse,a good screen,a good PSU like a corsair brand and 750W or more and a good cabinet which has good airflow u then only have to worry about a CPU , mobo and GPU and mostly GPU i think people just buy computer stuff without correct knowledge and that is the reason i think they make mistakes and hate PC gaming i think also i think if u buy a good mobo (as per ur requirements of OC and sli and all u dont really have to change that also most often that also goes for RAM any1 agrees with me?paraskhos_basic

Yep. Well said :P

Well this is how I think of it, you need to buy a computer anyway and would normally spend £400 on it. But using it for gaming, you spend a bit more, but you learn about computers and know what you're buying, you normally get a better value for your money aswell. Also PC gaming lets you get the best graphics.

But if you just want cheap gaming consoles are best :P

joshuahaveron

You really have to factor in the price of a decent HDTV for consoles imo. $500+ tv (that's at the low end), $300-400 console+ accessories, more expensive games. Console gaming really isn't any cheaper.

You really have to factor in the price of a decent HDTV for consoles imo. $500+ tv (that's at the low end), $300-400 console+ accessories, more expensive games. Console gaming really isn't any cheaper.

PTMags

There are a lot of veriables to take into consideration here. We'll assume that gaming on PC at a resolution of 1680x1050 at graphic settings of medium or better is above a console's capabilities.

Consoles:

1. Do you realize that a console comes with just 1 controller and no games (generally the case)?
2. Do you need a second controller?
3. Do you need internet connection for online play? - we'll assume a fee applies to use online through console like on the Xbox 360 Live
4. Do you need a good TV to play on? - we'll assume nothing smaller then 46", 1080p plasma - you want the best picture available to game on
5. Do you need any other accessories? wireless controller charger/headset with microphone/etc?
6. Do you need a speaker system? we'll assume 5.1 home theater system for audio, considering you'll be watching TV and movies on this thing, too

Computers:

1. Able to play new and coming out games at medium or better settings
2. Do you need a monitor/keyboard and mouse? we'll assume nothing smaller then 24" monitor capable of 1080p
3. Do you need speakers? 5.1 speaker set
4. Do you need internet connection?

Now, let us assume yes to all of the items above.

Console:

1. Around $250
2. Around $30
3. Yearly internet fee ($30 a month for 12 months) $360 + $50 for Xbox Live
4. Around $1800
5. Headset around $25, wireless controller cable for charging around $7
6. Home theather speaker package = $400 (something decent, but not bottom of the barrel)
7. TOTAL COST = $2,922.00

Computer:

1. PC link = $1439.89 - should be capable of playing games at medium settings or higher on 1680x1050 for the next 3-5 years
2. around $300 for monitor/keyboard/mouse
3. good 5.1 speaker set = around $150
4. Yearly internet fee ($30 a month for 12 months) $360
5. TOTAL COST = $2249.89

Now, granted that all the above is based on assumptions - things could vary greatly in each department. If this were a true scenario, then going for PC gaming would be cheaper. Seeing as the above situation is rather unlikely....we'll, I'll everyone come to their own conclusion.

I personally feel PC gaming can be just as cheap as console (or cheaper if you know what you're doing), but that's just me.

high end pcs last longer an i7 system with a 295gtx will last u like 3 years+

high end pcs last longer an i7 system with a 295gtx will last u like 3 years+

kemar7856

$1800 american for a 46" 1080p TV, your kidding.. more like $1000... $800 if you know how to bargainSTAR_Admiral

[QUOTE="PTMags"]

You really have to factor in the price of a decent HDTV for consoles imo. $500+ tv (that's at the low end), $300-400 console+ accessories, more expensive games. Console gaming really isn't any cheaper.

imprezawrx500

If you're going to be sitting a foot away from the monitor maybe. More than likely you'll be sitting 8-10+ feet away on your couch if you're playing on a console (that's one of their big draws). You really need at least a 32 inch tv, and 1080p if you want the most out of your console. It'd be like buying a nice gaming computer but only a 15 inch CRT monitor, playing at a low resolution with no AA or AF or anything.

[QUOTE="paraskhos_basic"]i really in all sincerity feel PC gaming is best in price/performance taking aside wether it costs u more or less is different for me if u ask me my 360 which i bought in march of 2006 (here in india) and was pretty pleased and now after like 2 years and all iam like selling this system coz it does not meet my needs and also paying 60$ for a game is like so bad i think if u take now PC into consideration and u think u want a hardcore system u can buy that for say a 1000$ and if some1 wants a good rig that lasts him 2-3 years on high medium settings in games it will cost him 600$ or so also PC gaming is customised so everything is so good when u actually have full control of what ur buying as agaisnt you generally dont know what is inside the console if ur PC component has gon out of order u just go and get that thing replaced also till the time u get that equipment u can use standby products till ur product comes but if anything goes wrong with the console u have to sent the whole unit also i think if u ask me people tend to forget that computer items which u need to upgrade is totally upto you as agaisnt consoles where the manufacturer actaully discontinues support for his product so that u buy the new console on the market(happened to xbox when 360 came) also u can also easily sell ur components which u dont want and upgrade them with ease and i think this is the main reason i stick with PC gaming is warranties i mean where do u get lifetime warranties on the things u buy? like evga gives u lifetime warranties for most or all of their products(iam in india so dont know how the warranties work in USA) i think MS should give lifetime warranties after making such a bad console to sum up i think if u buy these items and futureproof urself like a good keyboard,mouse,a good screen,a good PSU like a corsair brand and 750W or more and a good cabinet which has good airflow u then only have to worry about a CPU , mobo and GPU and mostly GPU i think people just buy computer stuff without correct knowledge and that is the reason i think they make mistakes and hate PC gaming i think also i think if u buy a good mobo (as per ur requirements of OC and sli and all u dont really have to change that also most often that also goes for RAM any1 agrees with me?joshuahaveron

Yep. Well said :P

It really depends on the person. When you say PC for Gaming. I'm assuming you want the best machine possible.

Gaming computers are like custom cars. New hardware comes out every month and hardcore gamers gotta have em, so I find myself upgrading something new every couple of months. I spent well over 3000$ on my machine just on upgrades in the last 2 years, Originally i spent half of that to start off my build back when the 8800 series cards were the thing. I think the only thing I have left of my first build is the case. 3000$ isn't necessary for everyone, It's my hobby and I can afford it so why not...

I find myself spending 500$+ Bucks on video cards every 6 months to a year. Then a new processor with a new socket comes out, then that means I have to upgrade my Motherboard+Processor+Heatsink+RaM. You'll find yourself spending way more money on a gaming rig if you want the top of the line stuff over a console. Spend about 700$ on a gaming machine you can probably get ok graphics. Close to 2,000$ or slightly less will get you an excellent gaming build with way better graphics than consoles. So in answer to the question, it's by far more expensive to have a High end gaming build over a console, and just about the same if you don't care for the high end stuff, just enough to play the games on descent setting. PC gaming is more expensive if you chose the high end route, otherwise mediocre machine and consoles kinda even out. You spend 60$ on a console game or 30$ on a PC game. I have way more console titles than PC titles mainly because PC games that come out last longer because of online play yet i'm hardly on the console. Console games are shorter so you always end up buying a new game every couple of weeks. You can end up spending a hefty amount on console gaming as well. 60$ a game adds up. I have about 13 or 14 titles on the console. That's about 800$ add that to the 400$ i spent on the PS3 $1200, add a couple hundred more and you can build a gaming rig. So again, all depends on the user ;)

It really depends on the person. When you say PC for Gaming. I'm assuming you want the best machine possible.

Gaming computers are like custom cars. New hardware comes out every month and hardcore gamers gotta have em, so I find myself upgrading something new every couple of months. I spent well over 3000$ on my machine just on upgrades in the last 2 years, Originally i spent half of that to start off my build back when the 8800 series cards were the thing. I think the only thing I have left of my first build is the case. 3000$ isn't necessary for everyone, It's my hobby and I can afford it so why not...

I find myself spending 500$+ Bucks on video cards every 6 months to a year. Then a new processor with a new socket comes out, then that means I have to upgrade my Motherboard+Processor+Heatsink+RaM. You'll find yourself spending way more money on a gaming rig if you want the top of the line stuff over a console. Spend about 700$ on a gaming machine you can probably get ok graphics. Close to 2,000$ or slightly less will get you an excellent gaming build with way better graphics than consoles. So in answer to the question, it's by far more expensive to have a High end gaming build over a console, and just about the same if you don't care for the high end stuff, just enough to play the games on descent setting. PC gaming is more expensive if you chose the high end route, otherwise mediocre machine and consoles kinda even out. You spend 60$ on a console game or 30$ on a PC game. I have way more console titles than PC titles mainly because PC games that come out last longer because of online play yet i'm hardly on the console. Console games are shorter so you always end up buying a new game every couple of weeks. You can end up spending a hefty amount on console gaming as well. 60$ a game adds up. I have about 13 or 14 titles on the console. That's about 800$ add that to the 400$ i spent on the PS3 $1200, add a couple hundred more and you can build a gaming rig. So again, all depends on the user ;)

Liferow

That's the problem with people that don't game on PCs when they think about PC gaming. They think they have to constantly spend tons and tons of money to upgrade their computer at least once a year to be able to play games well.

What people need to realize is that on a decent resolution (1440 x 900 or better) and a game you can run at medium settings is going to look just as good as any console, if not better 99% of the time.

I can build anyone a PC for around $1200 (excluding monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers) that will run any current game at high settings (Crysis being the exception) on a 1680x1050 resolution and it will be able to keep performaing at a console level or better for the next 2-3 years. There is no need to constantly throw money towards the newest/fastest parts out there.

However, you can be one of those people that spends tons of money once or twice a year to constantly upgrade your computer, you can do whatever you want with your money. I just try to point out to people that PC gaming isn't like how most people think it is where you have to constantly dump money into it.

All said and done, I spent about $1200 on my current computer. It's been good to me for the past 17-18 months and it's more then capable of playing all my games (including Crysis) at high settings (I do tone down some settings on Crysis to medium to improve performance) on my 22" monitor with a resolution of 1680x1050. I shouldn't have any problems over the next 12-24 months running new games at medium or better settings with my current PC.

I spend all that money cause it's a hobby of mine. I spent a grand on my monitor to get the 2560x1600 resolution. I see a huge difference compared to 1680x1050 which i had before. A lot of the new games don't play so well at that setting, so I had to settle for the gtx 295 as well, better results. I just simply love the best of the best, luckily i can afford it. But point I was making, PC Gaming is expensive as the user choses to make it. Settle for mediocre or go for the best, or just be an enthusiast like me. Some people think it's expensive because many hardcore gamers make it seem that way. I agree all you really need is about 1,000$ on a tower and you can play new games with descent quality. But it's a bit complicated, it's more so bragging than needing all that expensive hardware. And to be honest I don't need to spend 600$ on a video card every year, But It's my hobby. I just like being up to date. It becomes an addiction.

You really have to factor in the price of a decent HDTV for consoles imo. $500+ tv (that's at the low end), $300-400 console+ accessories, more expensive games. Console gaming really isn't any cheaper.

PTMags